U.S. patent number 7,317,705 [Application Number 11/016,159] was granted by the patent office on 2008-01-08 for mobile data device and method of locating mobile data service.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Verizon Business Global LLC. Invention is credited to Joel Hanson.
United States Patent |
7,317,705 |
Hanson |
January 8, 2008 |
Mobile data device and method of locating mobile data service
Abstract
A method including providing a PDA having a processor, a memory
coupled to the processor, a GPS receiver coupled to the processor
and a RF transponder capable of communicating using Internet
Protocol; storing user identification information in the memory;
storing medical history information in the memory; determining
location using the GPS receiver; transmitting the determined
location to a service using the RF transponder; and in response to
a request of emergency service by a user of the PDA, contacting the
service and transmitting an emergency request to the service using
the RF transponder. A PDA comprising a processor; a memory coupled
to the processor; a GPS receiver coupled to the processor; and a
wireless transponder capable of communicating using Internet
Protocol, the PDA being configured to store user identification
information in the memory, store medical history information in the
memory, determine location using the GPS receiver, transmit the
determined location to a service using the wireless transponder,
and, in response to a request of emergency service by a user of the
PDA, contact the service and transmit an emergency request to the
service using the wireless transponder.
Inventors: |
Hanson; Joel (Anamosa, IA) |
Assignee: |
Verizon Business Global LLC
(Basking Ridge, NJ)
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Family
ID: |
24152709 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/016,159 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2004 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20050153681 A1 |
Jul 14, 2005 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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09539803 |
Mar 30, 2000 |
6868074 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/329;
455/435.1; 455/456.1; 370/351 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B
25/016 (20130101); H04W 4/90 (20180201); H04L
67/18 (20130101); H04W 76/50 (20180201); G08B
25/10 (20130101); G01S 19/17 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04Q
7/20 (20060101); H04L 12/28 (20060101); H04Q
7/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;379/33,38,40,45,50
;455/404.1,404.2,407,408,435.1,456.1,458 ;370/328,316 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2285135 |
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Jun 1995 |
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GB |
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99/14882 |
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Mar 1999 |
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WO |
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99/41682 |
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Aug 1999 |
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WO |
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Other References
Teletype GPS Web Pages, printed Feb. 8, 2000. cited by other .
"Where in the World is . . . You?," by Roland D. Joffe, pp. 1-4,
printed Feb. 8, 2000. cited by other .
GPS Pilot: GPS Technology on your Palm Web Pages, printed Feb. 28,
2000. cited by other .
Rand McNally Streetfinder GPS for the Palm V Web Pages, printed
Feb. 28, 2000. cited by other .
3Com/Palm Computing--Press Release Web Pages, printed Feb. 28,
2000. cited by other .
GPS III Pilot Web Pages, printed Feb. 28, 2000. cited by other
.
Lucent Technologies Wireless Networks Web Pages, printed Feb. 28,
2000. cited by other .
Planet IT Mobile Computing techCenter: FCC Allows Gps-Enabled
Wireless Handsets Web Pages, printed Feb. 8, 2000. cited by other
.
"Enhanced 911 Service Spurs Integration of GPS into Cell Phones,"
by Junko Yoshida, EE Times, Aug. 16, 1999 Web Pages, pp. 1-5,
printed Feb. 8, 2000. cited by other .
"Smelling Success For Wireless," by Leander Kahney, Nov. 5, 1999
Web Pages, printed Feb. 8, 2000. cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Nguyen; Hanh
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/539,803 filed on Mar. 30, 2000 now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,868,074, the contents of which are hereby incorporated
by reference.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A method for communicating with a locator service, the method
comprising: determining, by a mobile device, location of a user of
a mobile device including a wireless transponder; transmitting the
determined location to the locator service via the wireless
transponder; transmitting a request for assistance to the locator
service via the wireless transponder; determining a nearest one of
a plurality of assistance providers based on the determined
location and compatibility of communications protocol supported by
the wireless transponder and corresponding communication devices of
the assistance providers; and establishing communication with the
corresponding communication device of the nearest assistance
provider using the compatible communications protocol.
2. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:
receiving vital signs of the user; and transmitting the vital signs
via the wireless transponder.
3. A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the vital signs are
transmitted continually.
4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the location is
updated and transmitted continually to the locator service.
5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mobile device
includes a microphone and a speaker, and is configured for Voice
over Internet Protocol (VoIP) using the microphone, the speaker,
and the wireless transponder.
6. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mobile device
is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).
7. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:
establishing a packetized voice session in response to the
request.
8. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:
downloading a database of the assistance providers and
corresponding communications protocols, indexed by location of the
assistance providers.
9. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:
determining the position of the mobile device using information
stored at the service; and performing a database lookup to
determine the location of the assistance provider nearest the
mobile device.
10. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the nearest
assistance provider is determined based on a threshold, the method
further comprising: if the threshold is not satisfied, retrieving
the nearest assistance provider from a remote database via the
wireless transponder.
11. A mobile device for communicating with a locator service, the
device comprising: a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver
configured to determine location of a user of the mobile device;
and a wireless transponder capable of communicating using data
communications protocol to transmit the determined location to the
locator service in response to a request for assistance by the
user, wherein the nearest one of a plurality of assistance
providers is determined based on the determined location and
compatibility of communications protocol supported by the wireless
transponder and corresponding communication devices of the
assistance providers, and communication is established with the
nearest assistance provider using the compatible communications
protocol.
12. A mobile device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the memory
stores medical information of the user, the medical information
being transmitted by the wireless transponder in response to the
user requesting assistance.
13. A mobile device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the
medical information are continually updated and transmitted in
response to the user requesting assistance.
14. A mobile device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the
wireless transponder continually updates and transmits the location
to the locator service.
15. A mobile device in accordance with claim 11, further
comprising: a microphone; and a speaker wherein the microphone and
the speaker are used to conduct a packetized voice session.
16. A mobile device in accordance with claim 11, further
comprising: a processor configured to establish a packetized voice
session in response to the request.
17. A mobile device in accordance with claim 11, further
comprising: a memory configured to store data of the assistance
providers and the communications protocols.
18. A method of locating a user of a mobile data device, the method
comprising: registering the mobile data device with a locator
service, wherein the mobile data device is configured to determine
location of the user, and the mobile data device wirelessly
transmits the determined location to the locator service; and
configuring a messaging device associated with the user to
communicate with the locator service and to pass the determined
location of the mobile data device received from the locator
service to a caller who places a call to the messaging device,
wherein an inquiry for the location of the user is generated in
response to an incomplete attempt to call the user.
19. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the messaging
device is capable of interfacing a data network.
20. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the call is
switched over a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
21. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the locator
service supports a find me/follow me service for the mobile data
device.
22. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the locator
service supports a paging service for the mobile data device.
23. A method for communicating with a locator service, the method
comprising: registering a mobile device with the locator service,
wherein the mobile device includes a wireless transponder for
transmitting the location of the mobile device to the locator
service; establishing an account associated with the mobile device,
wherein the account includes at least one policy for revealing the
location of the mobile device; and configuring a messaging device
to communicate with the locator service, wherein upon a caller
placing a call to the messaging device, the messaging device is
configured to selectively receive the location from the locator
service based on the at least one policy and to convey the location
to the caller, and wherein an inquiry for the location of the user
is generated in response to an incomplete attempt to call the user.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a system and method for providing user
location and enhanced user information to 911 services with varied
communication protocols.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
PDAs (personal digital assistants) are known in the art. Such
devices are used to store and organize data, such as phone numbers,
addresses, and other contact data, as well as calendars and
schedules, and are portable, hand held devices. They typically have
an operating system such as Windows CE. Some models are able to
communicate using the Internet Protocol. For example, Palm, Inc.
has a service plan that provides users of PDAs, such as the Palm
series of handheld computers, wireless access to Internet content
and e-mail.
It is known in the art to combine Global Positioning System (GPS)
receivers with personal digital assistants. See, for example, the
following U.S. Patents, all of which are incorporated herein by
reference: U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,524 to Bernard; U.S. Pat. No.
5,669,244 to Clark, Jr. et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,248 to
Steiner et al. By doing so, the personal digital assistant is able
to provide position information to the user. Navigation functions
allow the user to navigate to a desired location, carrying the
personal digital assistant along the way. Moving maps can track a
user's progress in real time and show landmarks.
Emergency response services are known in the art. When someone is
experiencing an emergency, they dial 911 and the operator receives
address information on a monitor. The address information is
obtained, for example, using address information in a telephone
company database associated with the caller's phone number. The 911
operator can dispatch emergency personnel even if the caller is
unable to speak or to communicate address information.
Determining the location of a user of a cell phone or other mobile
phone is obviously more difficult than determining the location of
a user of a conventional wired telephone, because such phones are
mobile. Yet various techniques are emerging for doing so. See, for
example, the following U.S. patents, all of which are incorporated
herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,214 to Shaffer et al; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,602,903 to LeBlanc et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,706 to
Dunn et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,508,707 to LeBlanc et al.; and U.S.
Pat. No. 5,479,479 to Braitberg et al. Cellular systems could be
overhauled to locate a caller's position by equipping cell sites to
locate cell phones using triangulation. Alternatively, cell phones
could be equipped with GPS receivers. A decision by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) expanded the definition of 911 to
include cell phones and may result in increased use of GPS
receivers in cell phones. Proponents of a handset-based approach to
911 believe that a handset-based approach can likely be deployed
with more accuracy and lower cost than a network based
triangulation system.
It is also known to incorporate 911 emergency communication access
into pagers. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,591 to Tamayo,
which is incorporated herein by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides emergency service request (e.g., 911)
capability for mobile data devices or VoIP devices such as PDAs and
wearable computers, and emergency service methods for such
devices.
One aspect of the invention provides an E-911 method and apparatus
for where data devices, such as PDAs, are used to communicate
instead of cell phones and PSTN telephones. One aspect of the
invention provides for use of the mobile data devices in connection
with emergency services for people who use mobile data devices to
communicate with each other.
In one aspect of the invention, the mobile data devices provide
enhanced user information to emergency assistance providers such as
911-dispatch centers or assistance providers. In one aspect of the
invention, enhanced user information includes user name, location,
vital signs, relevant medical history such as blood type, known
allergies, past and existing conditions and treatments, and other
characteristics such as age, sex and weight.
A problem is how to enable data devices to provide enhanced user
information to emergency services providers where the providers
utilize varied communications protocols.
One aspect of the invention provides a method wherein a user with a
mobile data device, e.g., a Palm Pilot.TM., registers his identity
with a locator service. Further, the data device continually
registers its location, e.g., via GPS coordinates or info, to the
locator service. When the user requests emergency service, such as
by dialing 911 using the data device, the data device contacts the
locator service. The locator service in turn queries a directory
service or database for the nearest assistance provider, e.g., the
local 911 location and the communication protocols utilized by the
assistance provider.
In one aspect of the invention, if the mobile data device is
equipped to communicate directly with the assistance provider,
communication is established. If not, the locator service
establishes the communication and submits a message to the
assistance provider with the physical location, name, medical
history information (e.g., blood type, known allergies) and other
pertinent information about the user. In one aspect of the
invention, the user and the assistance provider are connected to
speak to each other via data telephony, e.g., voice over IP.
In a further aspect of the invention, the mobile data device
provides the vital signs of the user contacting 911. The mobile
data device is provided with an input, and a personal monitoring
device is coupled to the input. Emergency service requesters using
the device are diagnosed more quickly and the 911-dispatch center
is able to provide more appropriate responses to medical
emergencies. This method enables automatic transmission of user
characteristics that will aid in medical triage, diagnosis and
treatment.
One aspect of the invention provides a mobile data device
configured to provide dynamic location information for a data
device to emergency assistance providers.
Another aspect of the invention provides a mobile data device
configured to provide dynamic vital sign information about the user
of the data device to an emergency assistance provider.
Another aspect of the invention provides a mobile data device
configured to provide static information to an emergency assistance
providers.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of determining
communication protocols available with emergency assistance
providers.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of determining
the nearest emergency assistance provider to the location of a
mobile data device.
Offering E-911 to VoIP devices will allow these devices to replace
existing PSTN devices, such as the telephone, instead of just
augmenting them. Also, by providing other pertinent medical
information to the 911 dispatch, e.g. blood type, known allergies,
user name, current medications, current medical condition, the
invention improves upon the existing E-911 service.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with one aspect
of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of set-up operations carried out by a data
device, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, prior to a
user requesting emergency service.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart that is a continuation of the flowchart of
FIG. 2 and that illustrates operations carried out by the data
device when a user requests emergency service.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an operation periodically or continually
carried out by the data device, in accordance with one aspect of
the invention
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operations performed at a
locator service in response to an emergency request from the data
device.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with one aspect
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1. shows a system 10 in accordance with one aspect of the
invention. The system 10 includes a mobile data device 12, such as
a PDA (e.g. PalmPilot.TM.) or other handheld personal data device
capable of being used for communicating using Voice over Internet
Protocol.
The mobile data device 12 includes a processor 14. The processor 14
can be, for example, an integrated circuit microprocessor.
The data device further includes a GPS receiver 16 coupled to the
processor 14. The GPS receiver receives information from global
positioning satellites 17 to determine the position (e.g., latitude
and longitude) of the data device.
The data device 12 further includes a wireless transponder 18 used
for communicating using Voice over Internet Protocol. This can be,
for example, a RF modem or other device. In the illustrated
embodiment, the data device 12 is not configured for use with a
cellular telephone network, and is not a cell phone but instead is
a PDA or organizer type of device.
The data device 12 further includes a memory 20 coupled to the
processor 14. The memory 20 defines a database 22 for storing
schedules, calendars, addresses, names, phone numbers, other
contact information, and other information of the type stored in an
organizer, PDA, or Palm Pilot.TM.. The memory 20 also stores
medical history information regarding the user, as well as
information about the user, such as name, address, etc. The memory
20 also defines a database 24 for storing information about
emergency assistance providers, as will be discussed below.
The data device 12 further includes a data input/output device 26
such as a keyboard and screen, or a touch screen that could be
manipulated, for example, with a stylus.
The data device 12 further includes an input 28 for receiving vital
signs from a vital signs detector 30 used by a user 32. The vital
signs detector 30 can be, for example, a heartbeat (pulse)
detector, or other vital signs detector. If a heartbeat detector is
used, it can be of the type used by joggers (e.g. with a sensor
assembly that clips on to a earlobe and a cable from the sensor
assembly to a quick disconnect connector that couples to a mating
connector of the data device), or a heartbeat sensor mounted
directly on the data device, such as a thumb sensor. In one
embodiment, the input 28 is an analog input, and the data device 12
further includes an analog to digital converter 34.
In operation, in one embodiment, the user 32 with the data device
12 registers his or her identity with a location or locator service
36 via a processor 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the locator
service 36 is a distributed service that dynamically keeps track of
device locations in a manner similar to the DNS system that tracks
domain name IP locations. The processor 38 is an optional
intermediary server between the data device 12 and the locator
service 36. In one embodiment, the processor 38 is a web server or
WAP server with which the data device 12 communicates. The server
38 passes messages to and from the locator service 36. In an
alternative embodiment, the data device 12 communicates directly
with the locator service 36.
The data device 12 continually tracks its location. e.g.,
determines longitude and latitude via GPS 16 or other location
mechanism. Further, the user of the data device 12 has the option
to download a database of emergency center locations indexed by
location from an emergency assistance or emergency assistance
provider database 40 via the locator service 36 via the processor
38. The emergency assistance provider database 40 contains, among
other things, communication protocols available at each emergency
center, e.g., telephony, H323, SIP, MGP, Voice via Instant
Messenger, video or other communications protocols. The emergency
assistance provider database 40 also contains addresses for each of
the protocols, e.g., phone number, IP address, IM user name, or
other appropriate address.
When the user 32 wishes to summon emergency services, i.e. "call
911," the user inputs an appropriate code (such as 911) to the data
device 12 using the input/output device 26 or another input (not
shown) of the data device 12. In one embodiment, the data device 12
first searches for existence of or data in internal database 24
that may contain data for an emergency center nearby. If the
database 24 exists and contains data, the device 12 compares the
distance between its location and the nearest emergency assistance
provider contained in the database 24. If the distance is within a
specified or calculated threshold, the data device determines the
protocol and address used by the closest emergency assistance
provider.
If the database 24 does not exist in the data device, or if the
distance to the nearest emergency assistance provider does not fall
within a predetermined or calculated threshold, the data device
contacts a centralized database, using the locator service 36, to
obtain information about emergency assistance providers.
After determining the communications protocol and address of the
nearest emergency assistance provider, the data device 12 sends a
message to the emergency provider via agent 42, packet network 44,
and optionally packet network telephony gateway 46 and PSTN 48 if
the communications protocol is narrow-band telephony. In the
illustrated embodiment, the data device 12 is able to transmit and
receive data packets. The message contains any text of voice
contributed by the data device user 32 via agent 42, as well as
pertinent static and dynamic information relating to the user 32.
In one embodiment, the agent 42 is software executed by the
processor 42 to provide for communications between the data device
12 and the emergency assistance provider 50 via packets.
Preferably, communication will occur via packets passed back and
forth on the packet network 44. The packets may contain voice data
as well as text and command data. Examples of software that could
be used for the agent 42 include IP telephony clients and instant
messenger clients.
Information provided to the emergency assistance provider 50 from
the device 12 can include, for example, user name, address,
emergency contact information, blood type, allergies, weight,
dynamic vital signs collected by the vital signs detector, and
other static medical history. If communications protocols allow,
the user 32 may converse with emergency assistance provider 50 via
the agent 42.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of set-up operations carried out by a data
device 12, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, prior to
a user requesting emergency service.
In step S1, the processor 14 determines if the user wishes to enter
user information. If so, the processor 14 proceeds to step S2. If
not, the processor 14 proceeds to step S4.
In step S2, the user identification information is received (input)
from the user via the I/O device 26, and in step S3, the user
identification information is saved in memory 20. After performing
step S3, the processor proceeds to step S4.
In step S4, the processor 14 determines whether the user wishes to
enter medical history information or data. If so, the processor 14
proceeds to step S5. If not, the processor 14 proceeds to step
S9.
In step S5, the user's medical history information or data is
received (input) from the user via the I/O device 26, and in step
S6, the user identification information is saved in memory 20.
After performing step S6, the processor 14 proceeds to step S7.
In step S7, the processor 14 determines if the user wishes to
download a database of emergency assistance or service providers
and their locations. If so, the processor 14 proceeds to step S8.
If not, the processor 14 proceeds to step S9.
In step S8, the database of emergency assistance providers (and
communications protocol available at each, in one embodiment),
indexed by location, is downloaded, using the transponder 18, and
stored in database 24. After performing step S8, the processor 14
proceeds to step S9.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart that is a continuation of the flowchart of
FIG. 2 and that illustrates operations carried out by the data
device when a user requests emergency service.
Step S9 is an idle process with respect to the routine of FIGS.
2-3. When in the idle state of step S9, the processor carries out
other operations, such as those related to addresses, scheduling,
etc., while waiting for a user to request emergency service.
In step S10, the processor 14 determines whether the user requested
emergency service. If so, the processor 14 proceeds to step S11. If
not, the processor proceeds to step S9. The processor 14
periodically performs the test of step S10 or otherwise proceeds to
step S11 when a user requests emergency service.
In step S11, the processor 14 determines whether an internal
database 24 exists and contains data. If so, the processor 14
proceeds to step S12. If not, the processor 14 proceeds to step
S15.
In step S12, the processor 24 determines whether the distance to
the nearest emergency assistance provider is within a predetermined
threshold and supports a communications protocol the device 12 is
capable of using. If so, the processor 14 proceeds to step S13. If
not, the processor 14 proceeds to step S15.
In step S13, the processor 14 causes the device 12 to contact the
nearest assistance provider. After performing step S13, the
processor 14 proceeds to step S14.
In step S14, the processor 14 enables data telephony and effects
transmission of the user's vital signs (assuming vital signs are
being input to the device 12) to the emergency assistance provider
until the assistance provider cancels the transmission.
In step S15, the processor 14 causes the device 12 to contact the
locator service and send an emergency service request as well as
the user's vital signs (assuming vital signs are being input to the
device 12). The locator service then performs the steps in FIG. 5,
including determining whether the nearest assistance provide is
able to communicate with a communications protocol the device 12 is
capable of using.
In step S16, the processor 14 of the device 12 determines whether
communications with an assistance provider has been established
(i.e., whether the locator service connected the device 12 with an
assistance provider for communications). If so, the processor
proceeds to step S14. If not, the processor proceeds to step
S17.
In step S17, the device 12 receives the location of the nearest
assistance provider and confirmation they have dispatched. The
location of the nearest assistance provider or confirmation of
dispatch, or both, is displayed on the screen or other I/O device
26, in one embodiment, in step S18.
In step S19, the processor 14 effects transmission of the user's
vital signs (assuming vital signs are being input to the device 12)
to the locator service until an assistance provider or the locator
service cancels the transmission.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an operation periodically or continually
carried out by the data device, in accordance with one aspect of
the invention.
In step S20, the processor 14 causes the present location of the
device 12 to be determined, using the GPS receiver. After
performing step S20, the processor proceeds to step S21.
In step S21, the processor 14 effects transmission of the location
of the device 12 to the locator service. Steps S20 and S21 are
repeated either continually, or periodically.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operations performed at a
computer or server at a locator service in response to an emergency
request from the data device 12.
In step S22, the emergency service request is received from the
device 12 along with a unique identifier identifying the device 12,
such as an identification number, account number, serial number,
name of the user, etc. After performing step S22, the locator
service performs step S23.
In step S23, the position of the device 12 is determined. This can
be by a recent transmission from the device 12, or from a
triangulated estimate based on a movement and direction pattern
determined from a stored recent history of positions of the device
12. After performing step S23, the locator service performs step
S24.
In step S24, the locator service performs a database lookup (e.g.,
queries a directory service 37 or a local database) to determine
the location of the nearest or most appropriate assistance provider
(or nearest assistance provider capable of handling an emergency of
a type indicated by the device 12 or nearest assistance provider
with the capacity/ability to handle the request) and their
communications capabilities. After performing step S24, the locator
service proceeds to step S26.
In step S26, the locator service determines if the selected
assistance provider is able to communicate with a communications
protocol used by the device 12. If so, the locator service proceeds
to step S27. If not, the locator service proceeds to step S28.
In step S27, the locator service connects the device 12 to the
assistance provider for data telephony.
In step S28, the locator service passes about the user (name,
address, family members to contact in case of emergency, phone
numbers), and medical history information, and vital signs, to the
assistance provider. After performing step S28, the locator service
proceeds to step S29.
In step S29, the locator service communicates with the device 12 to
confirm that the assistance provider has been dispatched (after the
locator service receives confirmation from the assistance
provider). After performing step S29, the locator service proceeds
to step S30.
In step S30, the locator service continually or periodically passes
information relating to the location of the device 12 (or,
alternatively, transmits the new location of the device 12 only
whenever there has been a change in location of the device 12), and
vital signs, to the assistance provider.
The device 12 can be used with multiple other methods, in various
alternative embodiments of the invention that will now be
described.
Panic Button User Locator Service
In one embodiment, the device 12 (FIG. 1) can be used with a panic
button user locator service. This embodiment provides a method to
provide emergency assistance to a user's location with or without
user intervention.
In operation, a mobile data device 12 is placed on or in the
vicinity of a user. The data device 12 registers its identity with
a locator service 36. Further, the data device continually
registers its location, e.g., via GPS coordinates/info, to the
locator service. Still further, the data device 12 continually
monitors the condition of the user 32 via the vital signs detector
30. When the user 32 needs to be located to provide assistance
(e.g., when the location of the user is not obvious or known), the
user submits a signal from the data device to the locator service,
e.g., presses a button, stops breathing, or exhibits other
detectable signs of distress. The locator service 36 determines the
last known position of the registered data device 12, queries
directory service 37 for the nearest assistance provider, e.g., the
local 911-dispatch center, and submits a message to the assistance
provider that provides the user's location and the reason why the
user needs assistance.
The user can program how the device 12 acts upon indication of
distress, for example, to notify a personal security company upon
indication of distress. In an alternative embodiment, the locator
service can contact multiple assistance providers, e.g., the user's
family, office, and personal security company as well as the
nearest 911-dispatch center.
Prior art panic button services provide assistance to a user
location based on a fixed address or telephone number. Thus upon
signaling the service a phone call is made to the user. If the
phone call is not answered, then assistance is dispatched to the
user's known address. This prior art service requires that the user
be at home.
The described panic button method, which uses device 12 with a
locator service 36 allows users to request or signal for assistance
from any location on earth. Thus, a personal data device (PDA) is
provided that could be offered an assistance service.
In addition to a user-invoked signal, the PDA can be linked to
various vital signs detectors or devices located on the user's
person that monitor health. In one embodiment, information from the
devices indicating distress signal for assistance even if the user
were incapacitated.
Various alternative embodiments do not necessarily require a vital
signs detector 30 or the database 24, or storage of medical history
information in memory 120. These alternative embodiments will be
described in connection with FIG. 6, which shows a device 112 that
is similar to the device 12 of FIG. 1, like reference numbers
indicating like components, except that the analog input 28, A/D
converter 34, and database 24 are omitted. The memory 120 still
includes a database 22 for storing addresses, schedules, and other
organizer type information typically included in a Palm Pilot.TM.
or other PDA, but does not necessarily include the database 24 or
medical history information.
Answering Machine User Locator Service
FIG. 6 shows an answering machine 152 that is configured to
register its identity and communicate with locator service 136,
e.g., via a continual Internet connection. Thus, in the illustrated
embodiment, the answering machine 152 can be coupled to both the
Internet and to a phone line, for answering incoming calls, at the
same time. A user with mobile data device 112 registers his or her
identity with the locator service 136. The user configures an
account with the locator service to notify callers of his location
when the answering machine 152 receives a call and queries the
locator service 136. It can be assumed that there are some callers
to whom the user will not want location information provided.
Therefore, in one embodiment, the user specifies with the locator
service what callers can be given location information or what
callers cannot be given location information. The data device 112
continually or periodically registers its location to the locator
service 136, e.g., using GPS receiver 16.
When the answering machine 152 receives a call from a caller's
phone or caller station 154 (e.g., assuming the user's phone 156
isn't answered), the answering machine 152 queries the locator
service 136. The locator service 136 provides the current location
of the user of the device 112 to the answering machine 152. The
answering machine 152 in turn translates the location information
to speech, and delivers the information to the caller at phone 154.
The answering machine 152 includes a data to speech converter 158
for this purpose.
For example, assume a caller using a phone 154 dials his
grandmother's phone number. The grandmother's answering machine 152
picks up. Depending on who the caller is, based on PIN or Caller
ANI or other Caller ID information, the caller is given the option
of learning the location of the grandmother. In one embodiment, a
billing event is created if the caller accepts. If the caller
accepts, the answering machine 152 communicates with locator
service 136 to obtain information on the grandmother's whereabouts.
The answering machine 152 provides the grandmother's location to
the caller, using the data to speech converter 158. In one
embodiment, the answering machine 152 further provides directions
to the grandmother's location to the caller, if requested. This is
performed, e.g., by querying a database or service such as
Mapquest.TM. using the Internet connection and looking up the
address of the caller based on Caller-ID information. The caller
may then leave a message on the answering machine 152.
In one embodiment, the answering machine 152 includes an Internet
integrated circuit designed for appliances, such as an integrated
circuit available from iReady Corporation, 2903 Bunker Hill Lane,
Suite 200, Santa Clara, Calif. 95054-1141, or a similar integrated
circuit.
Thus, this embodiment provides a locator service for use with
Internet-ready answering machines. Without reliance on the
communications provider, the user is able to configure his or her
answering machine to communicate with a locator service to offer
information about his or her location.
Network-Based Answering Service User Locator Service
An alternative embodiment is similar to answering machine
embodiment described above, except that an answering service 160 is
used instead of the answering machine 152. The answering service
160 may be automated or manual, or a combination (e.g., a human
operator comes on the line when requested or when particular
functions are requested).
The answering service 160 of FIG. 6 is a network based answering
service that is configured to communicate with a locator service
136, e.g., via a continual Internet connection. A user with mobile
data device 112 registers his or her identify with the locator
service 136. The user configures an account with the locator
service to notify callers of his location when the answering
service 160 receives a call and queries the locator service 136. In
one embodiment, the user specifies with the locator service 136 or
answering service 160 what callers can be given location
information or what callers cannot be given location information.
The data device 112 continually or periodically registers its
location to the locator service 136, e.g., using GPS receiver
16.
When the answering service 160 receives a call from a caller's
phone or caller station 154 (e.g., assuming the user's phone 156
isn't answered), the answering service 160 queries the locator
service 136. The locator service 136 provides the current location
of the user of the device 112 to the answering service 160. The
answering service 160, if automated, translates the location
information to speech, and delivers the information to the caller
at phone 154. The answering service 160, if automated, includes a
data to speech converter that is used for this purpose, or a human
operator comes on the line to provide this information. Directions
to the user are also provided, in one embodiment, if requested.
In one embodiment, the answering service 160 and locator service
136 are combined or integrated; e.g., a single service provider or
company performs both services, possibly using the same server to
perform both services.
Find Me/Follow Me--On the Map
Another aspect of the invention provides a method and apparatus to
provide, via a find me/follow me service, information about a
user's location to callers/inquirers.
A user with a mobile data device 112 registers his identity with a
locator service 136. The user configures his or her account at the
locator service 136 to provide physical location and directions to
callers (or specified callers). The data device continually
registers its location, e.g., using the GPS receiver 16, to the
locator service 136. When a caller using phone 154 attempts to
locate the user via a find me/follow me type service, and the user
has configured his account to provide physical location and
directions, the locator service 136 provides information to the
caller on the user's location and directions on how to reach the
user.
For example, assume a user does not wish to be disturbed, e.g., the
user is giving a presentation or in a meeting, but wishes to
provide his or her location to specific callers. When one of those
callers attempts to call user from a calling station 154, the
caller is informed the user is unavailable, and instead is offered
the location of the user, e.g., the convention center.
Prior art find me/follow me services and apparatus allow callers or
inquirers to locate users only by a specified destination. i.e.,
phone number or data device.
The addition of the GPS feature allows users to offer information
to callers/inquirers about their present physical location and even
offer directions to the user even if the user cannot be located at
the specified locations. In one embodiment, the feature is
controlled by a pass code--only authorized inquirers who provide
the pass code when prompted by the locator service 136 are granted
access to the user's location information.
Pager User Locator Service
In another aspect of the invention, the user of a mobile data
device 112 also has a pager number and account (or similar
messaging service) with a pager service that also defines locator
service 136. The data device 112 registers its identity with a
locator service 136. The data device 112 continually registers its
location, e.g., using the GPS receiver 16, to the locator service
136. When a user dials, e-mails, or otherwise contacts the locator
service 136, the inquiring party is given information on the
location of the user, and also given directions to the user.
For example, a caller using a phone 154 dials a user's pager
number, and enters a pass code to obtain information on the user's
location. The paging service that handles the user's pager number
supplies user's location and, if requested, directions on how to
reach the user, e.g., downtown convention center, room 350. The
paging service can be the locator service 136 or, in an alternative
embodiment, a separate pager service 162 that queries the locator
service 136.
Prior art paging services currently offer messaging features. This
aspect of the invention adds the ability for a caller to obtain
information about the user's location when dialing their pager
number.
User Locator Service Upon Incomplete Call
Another aspect of the invention provides a method and apparatus to
provide the location of a user to a caller who encounters Ring No
Answer, Busy, Answering Machine Detection, Detection of answering
service, or other incomplete call detection.
The data device 112 registers its identity with a locator service
136. The data device 112 continually registers its location, e.g.,
using the GPS receiver 16, to the locator service 136. The user
configures an account with the locator service 136 to notify
callers (or particular callers) of his or her location when the
telephony network detects a non-completion of a call to the user,
e.g., Ring No Answer or Answering Machine Detection. When a caller
using a phone 156 attempts to call the user, and the telephony
network 48 detects a non-completion (and the caller is a caller
that the user has indicated as being one to whom location
information should be provided), the telephony network 48 signals a
processor 164. The processor 164 in turn queries the locator
service 136 for the user's current location. The processor 164 then
sends this information to an audio device 166, which translates the
information into speech. The telephony network 48 delivers this
speech to the caller's phone 154.
For example, a caller, using the phone 154, dials the number for
his grandmother's phone 156. In response to the system 48 detecting
a non-live answer condition, the system 48 selectively offers the
caller at phone 154 (based on PIN, ANI or other caller ID
information) the ability to obtain information on the grandmother's
whereabouts and directions on how to get to her. The call may then
continue (e.g., allowing the caller to leave a message on an
answering machine), after the caller is provided with location
information.
Prior art messaging products provide callers the ability to leave
messages at a later time if the called party is unavailable. These
products include Card Messenger, Collect Messenger and Dial 1
Messenger. Callers do not have the ability, however, to obtain
information about the user's whereabouts with such prior art
products.
This aspect of the invention provides the ability for callers, upon
encountering a condition where the called party cannot be reached,
to obtain information about the called party's current location.
This aspect of the invention provides a network-provided service,
and does not rely upon user equipment. This aspect of the invention
instead makes use of call progress detection of busy, Ring No
Answer, fast busy, modem, answering machine, timeout, SIT tones,
ringback stopped, or other non-live answer condition.
Directory Assistance--Find What's Near Me
Another aspect of the invention provides a method and apparatus to
search for telephony directory listings that are located near a
person's present location. The data device 112 registers its
identity with a locator service 136. The data device 112
continually registers its location, e.g., using the GPS receiver
16, to the locator service 136. When the user wishes to locate a
directory listing, or wishes to locate a listing near the user's
present location, the locator service 136 utilizes the user's
present location to query a directory listing (e.g. Mapquest.TM.,
Jeppeson.TM., telephone company electronic database or other
non-telephone company database). In one embodiment, a database is
provided having directory listings are indexed by location. Thus,
listings are offered to the user by distance from the user's
present location. In one embodiment, the user can specify the
search radius, i.e., the distance from the listing to the user's
present location.
For example, a user in a new city on business accesses the MCIW.TM.
web directory listing service via a device 112, and requests a
search of restaurants within a half-mile radius of his or her
present location.
In the prior art, users would inquire about directory listings
based solely on the location of the listing. The method and
apparatus of the invention adds the user's location to the search
criteria. A user can search for directory listings, either by name,
number, subject, etc., within a specified radius of the user's
present location.
Note that the assignee of the present invention currently offers
directory assistance services. The addition of GPS type data and
user tracking adds an additional and novel feature to these
services.
The protection sought is not to be limited to the disclosed
embodiments, which are given by way of example only, but instead is
to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims as properly
interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.
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